What to watch this weekend: New 'Twin Peaks,' 'The Keepers' on Netflix

Kyle MacLachlan in Showtime's Twin Peaks. Showtime

Chelsea Tatham, Times Staff Writer

Published: May 19, 2017

Before and after: Twin Peaks, Fire Walk With Me

The time has finally come for a return trip to Twin Peaks. More than 25 years ago, the world was first introduced to the enigmatic residents of Twin Peaks after the murder of popular homecoming queen Laura Palmer. The series gained a cult following with its hypnotic first season and obtained a new generation of fans with its availability on Netflix and Hulu. The revival premieres on Showtime this weekend, but creator David Lynch is tight-lipped about what the new season is actually about, wanting to keep the revival as mysterious as the sleepy town itself. The only clear thing we know is that much of the original cast is returning - including Kyle MacLachlan as Agent Dale Cooper - but not necessarily as their original characters. We also know it's set roughly 25 years after the events of the original. If you're a fan of the original surreal drama or if dreamy paranormal fiction is your thing, tune in. 9 p.m. Sunday on Showtime.

In an interview with Variety, Lynch did say this: The prequel film, Fire Walk With Me, is essential to understanding what's coming. The film showcases the weeks leading up to Laura Palmer's murder and is an eye-opening exploration into Laura's intensely sad double life. Fire Walk With Me is a pretty obscure 1992 film, but it is available through Showtime and with a Showtime package through Amazon Prime. But be warned: It's fairly disturbing and very Lynchian.

For those of you itching for a juicy new true-crime series, Netflix has you covered with The Keepers. The seven-part documentary series explores the unsolved murder of a Baltimore nun and the horrific secrets and scandals surrounding her death. Sister Cathy Cesnik was a beloved nun and Catholic high school teacher in Baltimore. She went missing Nov. 7, 1969, and her body was found almost two months later. Though the case was mostly unreported outside of Baltimore, it returned to the spotlight in the 1990s when one of Sister Cathy's former students came forward to share her experience of sexual abuse by the high school's chaplain. This woman, known only as "Jane Doe," also revealed she was taken to Sister Cathy's undiscovered body and told, "See what happens when you say bad things about people." Director Ryan White takes viewers through conversations with friends, relatives, journalists and government officials hoping to uncover the truth about a story that goes beyond Sister Cathy's death. Now streaming on Netflix.

Ponzi perp: The Wizard of Lies

Almost 10 years ago, stockbroker and financier Bernie Madoff was arrested for perpetrating perhaps the largest case of financial fraud in U.S. history. The new HBO film The Wizard of Lies examines Madoff's Ponzi scheme through his deception, lies and the cover-up. In the film, inspired by Diana B. Henriques' novel, Robert De Niro plays Bernie Madoff with Michelle Pfeiffer as Ruth Madoff, Bernie's spouse and unwitting partner during the events that would lead to their family's ruin. The Wizard of Lies is directed by Barry Levinson (Oz) and also stars Alessandro Nivola, Nathan Darrow, Kristen Connolly, Lily Rabe and Hank Azaria. 8 p.m. Saturday, HBO.